Standing firm in affliction

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And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,  except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.  But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. - Acts 20:22-24 ESV

What an example Paul sets for us! Paul, knowing he will have afflictions and be imprisoned if he goes to Jerusalem, continues to the very place of persecution it would be human nature to avoid! He says he doesn't count his life precious to himself, only that he may finish the course and the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus.

Christian, we too have our own afflictions in life. Some of us know that we will encounter prejudice and bias if we publicly stand up for Christ in our school or workplace. People will accuse us of being narrow minded and hateful even though what we try to show is Christ's love.

Sometimes we must finish our course racked with physical pain but we know God has ordained us to keep putting one foot in front of the other irregardless.

Some brothers and sisters face outright physical persecution like Paul did and yet do not deny Christ. They continue to minister and share the gospel though it costs them their business, their families and often their very lives.

Dear brethren, when we have Christ we have everything we ever need. We have the most precious gift that can ever be given. The question we must ask ourselves is:

"Do we value the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel above all else?" 

Are we, with the Apostle Paul, willing to commit to God that we will press on by personally saying, [I do] "not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God"?